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Divestment: CSOs Want FG To Prohibit Oil Companies Sales Of Assets In Niger Delta Until…

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Following the announcement of acquisition of 100% of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd) by Oando Plc, Civil Society Organizations have urged the Federal Government to immediately place a moratorium on
oil company divestment (or sale of assets) in the Niger Delta region, pending the ascertaining of issues of community concern.

They argued that the call became necessary becaus host communities in which Agip has operated for up to six decades are unaware of the
impending sale and have not been informed by the firm.

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Oando Plc had on October 4, 2023 announced that it reached an agreement with Eni for the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in its subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC Ltd).

But a statement signed by Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation; China Williams, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria; Henry Eferegbo, Executive Director, Niger Delta Network for Environmental Justice; Ken Henshaw, Executive Director, We The People and six other organisations, and made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, said “Agip has been operating recklessly for decades, leaving terrible ecological and socioeconomic legacies,” hence it cannot vacate the region without “addressing several cases and concerns bordering on the ecological, health, economic, and social impacts of its operations in the Niger Delta.”

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Three Over Lynching Of Accused Manhood Snatcher

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They argued that “throughout its operations, Agip consistently flared gas, wreaking havoc on the health, livelihoods, and environment of Niger Delta oil-producing communities.”

“Several investigations have found
the corporation and its collaborators responsible for environmental
degradation that has destroyed livelihoods, poisoned communities, and created circumstances for human rights violations,” they added in the statement.

They, therefore, urged the “Federal Government to immediately produce a framework and
guide for how oil companies disengage from areas where they have operated.”

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This guide, according to the environmental activists, “should be developed by a multi-stakeholder group including communities and civil society organizations. The divestment (or sale) framework must contain the following requirements for oil
companies and the Nigeria authorities;

READ ALSO: Pregnant Housewife Allegedly Kills Five-year-old Stepdaughter For Defecating

“A scientifically developed post hydrocarbon impact assessment report that establishes the exact ecological and livelihoods impacts of oil extraction.

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“A health audit of people located in close proximity to extraction
sites, and others exposed to oil contamination and gas flaring. This
audit will aim at unravelling the negative health impacts of exposure to hydrocarbons.

“A detailed plan and costing for remediating the ecological,
livelihood and health impacts of extraction.

“The establishment of independent frameworks for remediating all
identified impacts and compensation to the impacted individuals and
communities.”

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Senate Confirms New FCC Chairman, Approves 37 Commissioners

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The Senate on Thursday confirmed Hon. Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

At the same time, 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were approved.

The confirmation followed the adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, presented by Chairman Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh.

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He informed the Senate that all nominees had successfully passed thorough screenings, submitted required documents—including Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) clearances, police reports, DSS vetting, and curriculum vitae—and had no criminal petitions filed against them.

READ ALSO:Senate Recommends Death Penalty For Kidnappers

The Senate conducted a state-by-state review in the Committee of the Whole, which was adopted when lawmakers returned to plenary.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio, addressing the chamber after the unanimous confirmation, urged the appointees to serve with dedication and uphold public trust.

“Go and serve in the interest of the nation. I congratulate all the nominees and wish them a successful tenure,” he said.

Notable appointees include Peter Ogbonna Eze (Enugu State) and AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah (Lagos State), while Mohammed Musa was retained as Secretary of the Commission.

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READ ALSO:Senate Uncovers $300bn Unaccounted Crude Oil Sales

Other confirmed commissioners are: Obinna Oriaku (Abia); Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa); Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi); Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun); Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa); Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom); Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra); Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi); Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa); Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue); Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno); Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River); Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta); Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi); Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo); Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti); Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe); Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo); Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna); Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano); Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina); Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi); Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara); Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger); Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo); Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye (Oyo); Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau); Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers); Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto); Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba); Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe); Sani Garba (Zamfara); and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).

The Senate expressed confidence that the newly confirmed FCC leadership will enhance the commission’s capacity to promote equitable representation across Nigeria’s public institutions.

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Tinubu Constitutes Membership For US–Nigeria Security Working Group

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security matters.

The decision follows a recent visit to Washington DC by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu will head the multi-agency team, which includes senior officials from key security and foreign policy institutions.

According to a statement signed by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, members of the working group include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

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Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Appoints Non-Career Ambassadors For US, UK, France

Tinubu urged the team to engage closely with their American counterparts to ensure the implementation of security agreements reached during the visit. The working group is tasked with coordinating bilateral efforts on counter-terrorism, defence cooperation, and regional stability.

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The initiative has gained prominence following recent remarks by US leadership. US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations and warned of possible military intervention should attacks on Christians persist, increasing pressure on the Nigerian government to strengthen its security response.

Bilateral cooperation
Recall that last week, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu concluded a series of engagements with United States officials aimed at reinforcing bilateral security cooperation.

The discussions, held in Washington DC, involved senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Armed Forces To Recruit More Personnel

During the meetings, the Nigerian delegation rejected allegations of genocide in the country, emphasising that violent attacks affect communities across religious and ethnic lines.

Wrongful framing of the situation would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” the delegation stated.

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The United States expressed readiness to deepen security support, including enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to bolster ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Additional support in the form of humanitarian assistance and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms was also discussed.

Both nations agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agreed areas. The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to civilian protection measures and the safeguarding of vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

READ ALSO:N6trn: Court Orders Tinubu To Publish NDDC Audit Report, Name Indicted Officials

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The Nigerian delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser; and Ms Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA.

The Federal Government highlighted that the engagements provided an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, build trust, and advance a coordinated approach to protecting citizens.

It urged the public to remain assured that coordinated measures are being taken to enhance security nationwide.

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Edo Assembly Invites Obaseki, Others For Questioning Over MOWAA

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The controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Hotel, remains unabated as Edo State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the matter has invited a former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki for questioning.

A statement by Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee, Bekisu Oshone, on Thursday, stated that the former governor and others are expected to appear on December 4, 2025.

Other persons invited by the committee are a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, MOWAA’s Director, Philip Iheanacho and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.

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READ ALSO:MOWAA Authorities Shun Edo Assembly Committee, Give Reason

According to her, others invited are Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Pramod Thorat, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and
Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.

The statement reads: “The Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee constituted to investigate the Museum of West African Arts and Radisson Hotel invites former Governor Godwin Obaseki and 10 others/organization (listed above) to appear before the committee for public hearing on December 4.”

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She said attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.

The former governor and other invitees are expected to give insights into funding of the Radisson Hotel.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Revokes MOWAA Land Title

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The MOWAA and Radisson Hotel were both conceptualized by Obaseki.

While first phase of the MOWAA has been completed, Radisson Hotel is near completion.

Recall that an exhibition at the museum turned chaotic on November 9 after angry protesters stormed the venue, forcing a high-profile event to shut down abruptly.

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The preview opening, described as a private exhibition for investors, artists, and foreign envoys, quickly descended into panic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.

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